In Japan’s recent upper house elections, Taro Yamamoto, leader of the Reiwa Shinsengumi party, made a bold move by cosplaying as Quattro Bajeena from the iconic Mobile Suit Gundam series in a campaign video. 
This quirky gesture, aimed at capturing the public’s attention, quickly went viral but also sparked significant backlash.
The video, which featured Yamamoto in a bright red outfit, blonde wig, and sunglasses, was filmed in front of the giant Gundam statue at DiverCity Tokyo. He introduced anime voice actress Maya Okamoto, who was on the ballot, and humorously presented her campaign as one advocating for the protection of Japanese pop culture. This message was set against the backdrop of Japan’s controversial Qualified Invoicing System, which has raised tax concerns, especially among freelance creatives like animators and filmmakers.
While the video received positive reactions from supporters, who appreciated its humor and Okamoto’s stance, it also triggered a wave of criticism on social media, particularly from political opponents. Many questioned the appropriateness of using Gundam for political purposes, and some even doubted whether permission had been granted to use the characters in the first place. This led to an official statement from Sunrise Studios, the production company behind Mobile Suit Gundam, which clarified that they had not endorsed the video and did not authorize the use of their intellectual property for political purposes.
The backlash was not just limited to political opponents. Even some neutral viewers were puzzled by Yamamoto’s choice of character. Quattro Bajeena, the alter-ego of antihero Char Aznable, is a complex figure in the Gundam series, often seen as a villain. Char’s most notorious actions include attempting to drop an asteroid on Earth, leading some to argue that associating with such a character was a misstep for a politician. One commenter suggested, ‘If he had to cosplay as a Gundam character, it would have been better to go with Bright or Amuro.’
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time that Sunrise Studios has had to step in over political cosplay. In the 2020 Tokyo governor elections, another candidate dressed as Lelouch from Code Geass, prompting a similar response from the company. This pattern of politicians using popular anime characters to attract attention has raised eyebrows, with critics questioning the ethical and strategic implications of such stunts.
Despite the controversy, Yamamoto’s cosplay remains a memorable moment in Japanese political campaigns, highlighting the creative yet risky intersection of anime culture and electoral politics.